Putting Mattress Directly On A Bed Frame

Question: Is it okay to put a mattress on a bed frame without the box spring?

This is possibly one of the most frequent questions we get asked. There are some real issues with doing this and frankly it can damage your mattress if it’s not placed on the box spring or foundation that was designed to work with. While boxsprings and foundations have different names, they are very similar to one another in what they actually do; they are both designed to be used as the base support that goes directly underneath of a mattress while sitting on top of a bed frame.

Sitting a Mattress on a Metal Bed Frame

Different types of mattresses will require different support and when you choose a Hollywood style frame or a bed frame that only has steel side rails with a few steel slats spanning the width there is NOT enough support to place a mattress directly on frame. While adding additional steel slats seem like the best solution there simply wouldn’t be nearly enough even flat support. In order to place a mattress on plank type slats, they must be closely spaced with a sufficient number of feet supporting something like a thick solid plywood type deck that is similar to that of the old time hard side waterbed. The specific spacing you can have between slats will depend on the warranty requirements of your mattress, but most good mattress producers recommend spacing of the metal braces or wood laths to be no more than 2-3 inches apart. With that kind of proximity, it is important to note that a few or couple of inches spacing is significantly closer than steel bed frame manufactures build even with their best metal bed frames.
The fact is when you are using a bed frame that is made from steel or metal and has a length or width running middle support, that kind of bracing and construction will necessitate the use of a box spring or foundation.

What are my Options

First we need to understand that mattresses, boxsprings, and frames have very different jobs. The comfort portion of the bed is the mattress which sits directly on top of a foundation and we often refer to it as the boxspring. The boxspring then sits upon the bed frame. Of course we lie on the mattress and its flexibility, support, and comfort can come from several different inner working configurations all of which need specific unique support required by the manufacturer; coil springs, latex rubber, memory foam or a hybrid of the aforementioned. Mattresses typically have a firm core and malleable sleeping surface that easily molds, contours, and supports the unique curvatures of our bodies. Placing it on anything but a supportive flat surface can cause it to sway, sag, or worse still fall between the steel supports.

How Can I Get Away Without Using a Boxspring

It is simple, you can sleep on a mattress without a box spring comfortably and there are a few different ways to do it.These days a boxsprings is nothing more than a rigid elevated riser referred to commonly as a foundation. Some have a little flexibility and these we call semi flex boxsprings. The truth is most bases do not flex or give so they essentially add nothing to the comfort or support of a mattress. Frankly you can skip it if you want to, perhaps you would want to consider an alternative base support like a platform or divan bed. Most such beds are essentially wooden frames with slats. Some are very basic while others are more fashionable. The important thing is to be sure that you know the manufacture’s specific warranty and support requirements and whether it allows for use of the mattress without a box spring.

Frames That Must Have Boxsprings

Above are 2 common bed frames that may be very similar to what you currently own but can you place a mattress on directly on them? No, not as they are shown. The important thing to notice is that all of these systems all have center support bars or extra slats. While they are all strong and made of angle iron and steel, they all have one, two, and even as many as four slats spanning the bed’s width. These are perfect examples of what a mattress by itself should NOT be placed upon. Our recommendation is a closely spaced slat pack with some strategically placed sturdy legs in the middle which would be a more viable solution to consider if you are wanting to do away with a box spring or foundation.

Alternatives to Boxspring Foundations

If you have further questions as to whether your frame will support a mattress email us pictures showing the frame you are attempting to put your mattress on and we can try to give you our opinion of whether it will work or not. You can also reach out to us at the toll free number at the top of this page.

Author: Douglas Belleville

Doug Belleville and his father Dave own and run STLBeds - a specialty sleep store located in Arnold, MO. The staff at STLBeds is highly educated about sleep, comfort and their special sleep products. STLBeds only carries high quality mattresses and bed-related products. You won't find the brand names here - click here to find out why!

18 Comments

I see platform beds all the time and wonder are these special mattresses or can any mattress be used alone. If you have a support system can any mattress be used alone, without its accompanying box spring?

Travis, Slats are very closely spaced on platform beds or the platform is decked out with something like plywood for a flat surface. Mattresses are nothing special but read the warranty and how it applies when not being used with a boxspring. Thanks Doug

Debra, Most futons have very closely spaced wooden slats and a vertical support supporting those slats in the middle. With such a design I see no difference than placing it on a ridgid platform bed which nearly every manufacturer would be happy to guarantee their mattress if placed upon. Feel free to contact us with further questions. Our toll free number is at the top of this page. Doug

We have a memory foam mattress and a foundation that we had bought for our sleigh bed frame. In the interest of creating a bit more space in our room we ditched the frame and are on the hunt for something a little more basic. My question is in the interim can we use a standard adjustable steel frame and put the foundation and mattress on it. Since those frames were “made” with box springs in mind I am concerned about doing damage to my foundation. But perhaps that is silly. Thank you for your time.

Chris, Whether it is a boxspring or a foundation steel bed frames are made to be rigid support for either application. The main goal is to make sure the frame has center support if the mattress set requires it. Nearly every brand of mattress requires this to be warranty compliant. Other than that I see no problem what so every. Happy sleeping Doug

If the bed frame has the side rails but no middle support(it doesn’t look like it was meant to have a middle support since there are no grooves to hook on a middle rail), does it need slats or a box spring. Or both?

Inge, If you are going to deck out the bed with plywood then you need to make sure they plywood is properly supported or it will fall through, possibly causing injury, or damage to the bed. Think hardside waterbed support if you’re going to attempt this.

Hi there! I just got a king size bed and I’m trying to determine if I have to have a box spring. It has a metal frame with 2 vertical metal supports running the length of the bed, each with 2 feet that extend to the ground. It also has horizontal wooden slats that are about 3/4 inch think and 3 inches wide, and are spaced about 3.5-4 inches apart along the length of the bed. What do you think? Thanks for your help!

Emily, Most foundation / boxsprings have slats that are NOT spaced 3.5-4 inches apart. In fact they are quite a bit more than that. I would simply check with the manufacturer of the mattress. Tell them that what you have is essentially a platform bed with slats spaced 3.5-4 inches apart. If the slats are the curved kind… there could definitely be an issue. Hope this gets you in the right direction. Doug

Catherine, No you can not place a mattress directly onto a steel bed frame. Even steel bed frames super duty with extra center support bars and feet. The mattress will simply swag like drapery between the bars. Boxsprings are required when using a steel bed frame. Hope this gets you on the right track. Feel free to contact me if you need further assistance. Doug

Hi. We are here from Spain and did not want to spend alot of money on beds as we will move out in 8 months and are on a budget. We bought 4 metal bed frames which have 3 vertical suports and several lengthwise supports. Then we bought the mattresses on line, 4 memory foam type. I couldnt sleep so then bought one with some box springs under the thin mattress. My son now sleeps on two mattresses. None of us sleep well but do not have alot of money. Is there anything we can do or add to what we already have ? Thank you

Sara, The fact that of you are sleeping well says a lot. My suggestion if buying better mattresses is not an option is to look into pre owned. There is some really nice, extremely clean mattress sets available on Craigs List, Facebook and other websites like those. Most are very low cost and some are even free. Good Luck. Doug

Hi Doug. I bought a metal bed with slats spaced about 3.5″ apart. I bought a box spring and mattress before I bought the bed. The problem is it makes the bed too high up to get into. So my question is do I really need that box spring or what can I do.

Brenda, To do it right the answer is yes. You can look into a low profile boxspring. They are usualyy 4-5 inches tall instead of 8-9 inches tall. Without seeing the bed it is really hard to say. Feel free to email me pics or call me. Doug